Harvester Overload Control via Automatic Drive Power Reallocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling the overloading process in harvesting machines lead to significant crop losses due to manual intervention in critical operating situations, which reduces drive power availability and causes speed differences between the harvester and accompanying vehicles, resulting in inefficient overloading processes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control device monitors the operating situation of the harvester and automatically initiates a shutdown of the overloading device when a critical situation is detected, reallocating the released drive power to working elements that signal an overload, using sensors to detect obstacles, readiness of vehicles, and quality of the machining process to manage the overloading process effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the overloading process is controlled manually by the operator, then the operator can respond to critical operating situations, but the operator must interrupt the overloading process to eliminate critical situations, leading to crop losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to critical operating situationsVSAvoidoverloading process continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically monitors operating parameters and initiates shutdown of the overloading device when critical situations are detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting overload conditions and reallocating drive power to working elements, ensuring continuous monitoring and response without operator distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If drive power is allocated to the overloading device during overloading process, then the overloading operation can proceed, but less drive power is available to working elements, causing overload situations and reduced forward speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive power for overloading deviceVSAvoidharvesting speed and working element performance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts drive power allocation between the overloading device and working elements based on real-time monitoring of operating parameters. When overload conditions are detected in working elements, the system automatically reduces power to the overloading device and redirects it to the working elements, creating a dynamic balance that prevents crop losses while maintaining harvesting speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the forward speed is reduced to prevent overload situations in working elements, then the harvesting machine can maintain proper operation, but a speed difference occurs between the harvester and accompanying vehicle, leading to overloading losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking element operationVSAvoidoverloading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors operating parameters of working elements and uses this feedback to automatically adjust drive power allocation. When overload conditions are detected, the system responds by reallocating power from the overloading device to working elements, preventing the need for speed reduction and maintaining synchronization between harvester and accompanying vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2995191B2Method for controlling an overload process
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 CLAAS SELBSTFAHRENDE ERNTEMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2995191B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995191B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995191B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a transfer process taking place during ongoing harvesting operations, controlled by a control device (23), between a self-propelled harvesting machine (1, 2) comprising several working elements (20) and a transport vehicle (34), during which harvested crop is transferred from a transfer device (28) of the harvesting machine (1, 2) to the transport vehicle (34), wherein during the transfer process the operating situation of the harvesting machine (1, 2) is monitored by the control device (23) and that if a critical operating situation is detected by the control device (23) a shutdown of the transfer device (28) is automatically initiated.